How To Write A Reality TV Show

Learning how to write a reality TV show is crucial to screenwriting success because reality TV shows have become increasingly popular. Reality shows are a genre of TV programs that document actual events and feature ordinary people instead of luminary actors and actresses. There is a wide range of programs that fall under this category, mainly quiz or game shows and elimination contests that are unscripted dramatic situations, which culminate in awarding the winner. A sense of excitement is kindled among the audience, ramping up the advertising profits.

The participants are placed in a special setting and are often coached to act in a certain way or say something that is pre-planned, creating an illusion of reality. Mastering how to write a reality TV show is an art that has to be honed through experience. One may get the impression that since reality shows are mostly unscripted, learning how to write a reality TV show must be simple. Nothing could be further from the truth. Letting the cameras roll does not produce a TV show of this nature. Writing a pre-meditated plan will create a successful finished product. Consider the following:

• Plan what your reality show is going to be about. Will it be a dating show? Will it focus on a particular profession, age group, gender, or a segment of the society? Will the contestants be required to complete certain tasks?

• Conduct some research about similar shows of the past. See what made them hits or misses. If a particular theme has been dealt with too many times, the chances are that it will not be readily appreciated by the viewers again.

• Once the concept is ready, it is time to get down to putting it on paper. You will need to write the logline, summary, and treatment. All the three help you to understand how to write a reality TV show.

• The logline is a sentence long description of the intended reality show.

• A page long portrayal of the show is called the summary.

Apart from the completed script, the treatment is the longest document you will be preparing for the reality program. In the treatment, mention the following:

• how your show will work
• an overview of each episode
• how it is expected to wrap up - the grand finale
• number of contestants and who they will be
• where it will be filmed
• framework of the challenge posed

Everything that occurs cannot be predicted in a reality show, even though you are composing the overview with how to deal with the eventualities. Most of the writing work for a reality show takes place in the editor's room after the filming. If you want to become an expert at how to write a reality TV show, learn the rules before hand and make sure to rewrite and gain feedback.